A leading figure in the Scottish enlightenment, Adam Smith’s

Question

A leading figure in the Scottish enlightenment, Adam Smith’s two major books are to democratic capitalism what Marx’s Das Kapital is to socialism.

Option AOption BOption COption DOption E

(This question is from Official Guide. Therefore, because of copyrights, the complete question cannot be copied here. The question can be accessed at GMAT Club)

Solution

Sentence Analysis

The beginning modifier (in technical jargon, it’s called appositive) “A leading figure” must modify Adam Smith, not his two books.

The sentence presents a similarity using the structure “x is to y what a is to b”.

Adam Smith’s two major books are to democratic capitalism

What Marx’s Das Kapiral is to socialism.

The construction is clear and logical.

Therefore, the sentence has one error i.e. modifier error.

Option Analysis

(A) Incorrect. For the error mentioned above.

(B) Incorrect. Repeats the modifier error of option A. Also, the structure “x is to y like a is to b” is incorrect.

(C) Incorrect. Repeats the modifier error of option A. Also, the structure “x is to y just as a is to b” is incorrect.

(D) Incorrect. The structure “x is to y similar to a is to b” is incorrect.

(E) Correct. This option corrects the error in the original sentence without introducing any new error.

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